The Lovely Bones-BC Discussion #1

[ACDCDCAC]

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Originally Posted by jilly76 And I also liked that Susie was able to come back and have one last night with Ray, that was sweet.

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Originally Posted by LALA My fav part was when she got to be with Ray. I thought that was an amazing twist!

I was actually bothered by this, I couldn't wrap my brain around it. I think the part that bothered me is because when Ruth, uh, came back to her own body, if it were me, I would be upset thinking my body was used this way and I would have felt violated somehow. Altho obviously this wouldn't happen in real life, I think that's why I didn't get that part.

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Originally Posted by LALA I have a couple weird stories about this.

kate that is crazy and cool all that the same time. sad, but nice.

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Originally Posted by becks The other thing that bothered me throughout the story was: why the rape? I just struggle to see the point of having it there at all, except for shock factor. And if that was the purpose, I find it rather repugnant. I completely agree. I don't think it was necessary given that it was hardly brought up later. I'd be very interested to hear what a man thinks of this book. It's very clearly written to be read by a woman. I'm just curious if a man reads it, can he even connect to it?

Me too! Cali, any dudes in our book club?

[Betsy]

I didn't really understand the Ray/Ruth thing either - It was really hard to understand that actually happening. I did like how Ruth was kind of a "hero" to the victims though but i wish it would have elaborated more on her part when Susie took over her body or whatever. I mean was she in Susie's heaven talking to victims? That was a little confusing!

[sn2bski]

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Originally Posted by becks . The other thing that bothered me throughout the story was: why the rape? It didn't seem that relevant to the story. The family never affirmatively knows - they don't have a body, there is no evidence to see, so there's no real connection to everything going on with them. Susie brings it up here and there, but not really in any significant way. I just struggle to see the point of having it there at all, except for shock factor. And if that was the purpose, I find it rather repugnant.

I read that the author, Alice Sebold, was raped when she was in college. This could give us some insight as to why she added it to the story, but I agree that it wasn't necessary.

[starchild]

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Originally Posted by sn2bski I read that the author, Alice Sebold, was raped when she was in college. This could give us some insight as to why she added it to the story, but I agree that it wasn't necessary.

That totally makes sense!!! She was just working some of her own reality in the story.

[Yari]

Rebecca - I agree with your point about the rape...it was not necessary. Perhaps it was added in to make us sympathize even more with her.

 

Kate- thanks for sharing those two stories!

 

I have a story:

My grandfather was sick with cancer and in the hospital. I was 13 and very into myself and did not want to visit him. My mother made me go one night and said if I didn't go and he died I would regret it forever. So I went with a huff. While in the hospital I wouldn't even go into his room, I was being quite drama. Finally my mom had enough of me and said, "Okay let's go then!". I then got up and went into his room. I said, "Hi grandpa, I hope you feel better soon." He moved his eyebrows (that was all he could move) and I told him I loved him. I left.

 

That night, I had a dream and my grandpa was in it. He was smiling and happy, he told me he was in heaven and everything was going to be just fine. I remember feeling at peace. I woke up to the phone ringing. I heard my dad answer and I drifted back to sleep.

 

I awoke the next morning to my mom telling me she had bad news. I know exactly what she was going to tell me, my grandfather had died.

 

I never shared my dream with my parents until a few years went by. My dad was talking about my grandpa and said that he dreamt of him the night he died. I then said, so did I. My mom then said in a whisper me too. Apparently my grandpa visited us three when he died to tell us everything was going to be okay.

[starchild]

That's awesome Yari, grandpa wanted you to be at peace with his passing. I also believe that some people wait to die until they see a certain person, which may have happened with you.

 

My grandpa was dying fast but holding on for no apparent reason. Everyone visited him but my brother who hates hospitals, he finally went and gramps died a few hours later. He should have been dead days before.

 

Sorry for the detour...great stories everyone )

[-Kate-]

I didn't even think about the relevance of the rape. I must be desensitized. That makes sense about the author's past. It does make for nice contrast though - the only 2 people she ever had sex with were such vastly different people/situations. I liked that when she with Ray is was so emotional and heartfelt in contrast to the aggression and violence of her rape. Covers the spectrum.

[starchild]

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Originally Posted by jujigirl 13.) In The Lovely Bones, adult relationships (Abigail and Jack, Ray's parents) are dysfunctional and troubled, whereas the young relationships (Lindsay and Samuel, Ray and Susie, Ray and Ruth) all seem to have depth, maturity, and potential. What is the author saying about young love? About the trials and tribulations of married life?

I think this is a good question. I think as we get older, and married, the stakes are higher and outlooks change. Young love is more carefree and there is a certain innocence that allows you to see past the "real" issues and just be. As married adults with more worldly experience you are more aware of your options and may be more apt to excercise them. Not sure if that makes sense...what do you guys think?

[MelissaH]

I'm so upset I missed all this...I totally forgot that I'd be away when the discussion started when I agreed to join the BC - hopefully I'll get in on the next book

[ACDCDCAC]

Welcome back Melissa! We just started talking yesterday! You've got DAYS to chat about it still! Join in!